Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,757, Silas French, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
French, Silas
N 14,757
Molly
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for entries]
[Blank lined area for entries]

15331
Massachusetts
Silas French
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Tupper of the Regt. commanded by Col. Washburn in the Mass line for 9 months
Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 Dollars and 62 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of June 1833 and sent to Lord Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $60.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 1835 15.00 $75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book
McGadish Clerk, Vol. 2. Page 24

3907
Massachusetts
Molly French widow of Elias French who was a Private in the Sedgwick Mass
Subject
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Dec. 1843, and sent to Welcome Young East Bridgewater Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4 Vol. 1 Page 42.

Silas French, Mass
Truro 9 months, admiral 1606 March 30/1833
P 316
13 3 60
J. H. Lord Weymouth Mass.

BRIEF in the case of  Silas French  60. of Plymouth in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court,  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Summer In 1776. intended 5 Private Gen. Lord Howe Col. Marshall   July " " 2 " Gen. Gates Col. Haws   Aug " " 1 " Gen. Howe   Sept " " 1 "    Guardsmen immediately after this he was engaged in fortifying till the end of the war.
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bridge water Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary two Living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Witnesses are not sworn 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Dyer
Examining Clerk.

Silas French B. 360

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. On this twenty second day of August, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate of Wills for the County of Plymouth then sitting Silas French a resident in East Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration; in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following Officers and served as herein stated. -
In the Summer of 1778 - after the British had evacuated Boston I enlisted under Capt. John of Braintree Lieut. Snow of Bridgewater, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Marshall - and first went to Scituate and remained there two or three weeks - thence we were ordered to the Castle in Boston Harbor - now Fort Independence - and remained there until five months were expired - during that time no events of a publick nature occurred there that I recollect - we were placed on fatigue duty and on guard every alternate day - I recollect in digging away the rubbish and ruins - we one day discovered a box of powder placed in a hole in the wall for the purpose - no doubt, of blowing up the Castle - this was sold to our Officers and received pay in cherry-bum - four Companies only were on the Castle at this time - No person is now living to my knowledge who was in this service with me - At this time I served as a private Soldier five months
The next Spring - 1779 - I enlisted under Capt. Edward Cobb of Abington as a private Soldier - and went to Bristol in the State of Rhode Island where I served two months - we were on guard during the whole of that time at a place called Bristol Ferry - which was a small fort - The Regiment to which we were attached was commanded by Col. Harnes

I do not know of any Person living who was on this service except Lot Whitmarsh -
In the fall of the same year 1777 - the year I remember that Burgoyne was taken I enlisted under Capt. N. Snow of Bridgewater - Ensign Harris - and went to Boston in Rhode Island, on what was termed the secret expedition - our Company was stationed at a place called Seconet - the lowest Company on the River - here I served one Month. Daniel Brite was in 2 d Company.
Afterwards in the Winter of 1777-8 I again enlisted and went to Cambridge to guard the Prisoners taken with Gen. Burgoyne and remained there in the service one Month. I well remember of seeing Gen. Burgoyne on one occasion - a Court Martial was held on account of some alarm raised by one of the British Officers by a private Soldier - by order of one of our Officers - I saw Gen. Burgoyne pass into the House - he was a tall and large man with a dark complexion - I also had some difficulty with a British officer here while on guard, he attempted to pass me without showing his side arms - I stopped him at the point of the bayonet - after considerable altercation he unlatched his over coat - (it being very cold) and show his side arms - and then passed -
I know of no Person living by whom I can prove any part of the foregoing service, except Lot Whitmarsh - whose certificate accompanies this declaration - & Daniel Brite who has also certified.
I was born in Roxton in the County of Norfolk and lived February 14. 1760 - and I suppose a record of my birth was then made - and lived there until I was fifteen years old - then I went to Bridgewater where I lived while performing all the above service - and when I have ever since I do now reside - Upon the division of Bridgewater in late years my residence fell in what is now East Bridgewater -
Immediately after my term of service expired at Cambridge I enlisted

as a Scribe on board a Salem Ship - and from that time to the close of the war was employed in various Privacies - with various fortunes -
And I hereby relinquish all claim to a pension or annuity except the presents - and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
Silas French
Sworn to and submitted the day and year aforesaid -
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
We Daniel Thomas, a Clergyman residing in the Town of Abington and the Minister of the Parish to which the above named Silas French belongs - and Lot Whitmarsh resident in East Bridgewater and neighbor to the said Silas hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said French who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration - that we believe him to be sixty two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in his opinion.
Subscribed and sworn to
Daniel Thomas.
Before Lot Whitmarsh just Peace -
Lot Whitmarsh
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interro- gatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-nam- ed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel Thomas who has signed the preceding cer- tificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Abington and that Lot Whitmarsh who has also signed the same

is a resident in the town of East Bridgewater and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest
Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas French for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty second day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

1001 11/1 Molly French
adults Pr. $30
prefer, stephens
K. M. Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth County ss.
On this first day of September in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred, and thirty eight personally appeared before the Hon. Wilkes Wood Esquire Judge of the probate of Wills for the County of Plymouth Molly French a resident of East Bridgewater in said County of Plymouth aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1830 - entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows." That she is the Widow of Silas French late of said East Bridgewater who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War - and a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That her late husband as she believes served as a private at Rhode Island - and at Roxbury near Boston - but the services having been performed before her acquaintance with him she is unable to state with any degree of precision what his services were.
She further declares that she was married to the said Silas French on the twelfth day of April in the year seventeen hundred and eighty seven; that her Husband, the

= aforesaid Silas French died on the seventh day of August, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty four - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, nineteen hundred and ninety four - with all the time above stated.
N.B. The word "Husband" was inserted before the signature hereof. -
Molly French Mark
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year first above written. Before me Willes Wood Judge of Probate
Plymouth Co. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willes Wood is Judge of Probate for said County & that the above is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County this eighth day of September 1838.
Jacob H. Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Jared Whitman Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the signatures to the annexed affidavits purporting to be signed by him I be- lieve to be his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this eighth day of September 1838.
Jacob H. Lord
11 →

Mally French's Album

I Mary B Bourn of East Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth of lawful age to give evidence and testify and say that by the Family Record by me kept and in my hand writing the original of which is now before me it appears that Silas Farns who was my Grandfather since at East Bridgewater on the seventh day of August in the year eighteen hundred and thirty four - and that his wife Molly Farns never into-married again but still continues his Widow. I further state that my Grandmother has heretofore called her Name Polly and not Molly but that the said names are frequently here used indiscriminately for each other - Mary B. Bourn
Memoranda. On this thirteenth day of August in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared the above named Mary B. Bourn and made oath and said to me that the aforesaid Deposition by her signed - and I further certify that the aforesaid is true to the best of my knowledge and is a true copy of the original as now on file. Before me - Jacob Whitaker Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss.
I John Nash Town Clerk of the Town of Abington in said County certify that by the Records of said Town now in my possession and care it appears that Silas French and Molly Moraws both of Abington were married the twelfth day of April in the year seven hundred and eighty seven - and that the above is as from the Records of said Town is a true copy thereof with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows -
"April 12 th 1787"
John Nash Town Clerk
I John Nash above named do hereby certify that I hold the Office of Clerk of Abington in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
John Nash Town Clerk
Plymouth ss. In witness to this twenty ninth day of August in the year 1830. Witness me
Samuel Peterson Just. Peace

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14757
Molly French widow of Silas French Pri Rev War
Act: March 8 th 48
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts - 1005
Molly French widow of Silas French, decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832 and who died on the 7 th Febrg. 1834. of Weymouth in the State of Mass. - who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Toper of the 8 th commanded by Col. Marshall in the Mass. - line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts. at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of No- vember, 1838 and sent to J. H. Lord, Plymouth, Mass. -
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept. 1838 $75.00 Semi-annual allowances ending 4 th of Sept. 39- 15.00
$90.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Book A,
Vol. 1,
Page 487
Clerk

4136
M. French
$30 per a~
Welcome Young East Bridgewater Mass

State of Massachusetts } fs Plymouth County - } fs
On this seventh day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and forty three, personally appeared before the subscribed a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Plymouth Molly French resident of East Bridgewater in the said County of Plymouth aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the third day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war - That she is the widow of Silas French who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and a pensioner under the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 and that the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 7 th 1838 was Thirty dollars.
She farther declares that she is still the widow of the said Silas French. Molly French

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written - And I do hereby certify that the declarant is personally known to me Before me Welcome Young Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss
I John B Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Court for the said County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Welcome Young Esquire before whom the foregoing Declaration was sworn to and subscribed on the day of the seal of the same and who is a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Plymouth duly commissioned and qualified under the authority of said Commonwealth to administer oaths & take depositions - And that his signature to the seal of the same Declaration is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this eleventh day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
John Morris Clerk

Silas French Mass. Act of June 1832 to what time paid? New office.
Died 7 th Aug. 1834 p st that service
Nov. 14. 1833
19

Sep 15 1843 4136
Claim Act 1842
Maps
Abel, Joseph S. Whitmarsh
FREE
The Secretary of War Pension Office Department Washington D.C.

East Bridgewater Sept r 12. 1843
To the Secretary of War
Sir Enclosed Herewith two applications under the Act of Congress, passed on the 3 d of March 1843 - When examined and Certifi- cate granted you will please forward the same to me at East Bridgewater, County of Plymouth; State of Massachusetts.
Yours truly William Young Attorney to Molly French & Susanna Whitman.

19960
Silas French
J. H. Lona E. Plymouth Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Smith which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And , if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
REQUIRE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
REQUIRE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Lot Whitmarsh of East Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts - do testify and say that I was a Private in the Company commanded by Capt Edward Cobb on an expedition to Bristol in Rhode Island - and served there for two months - and I well remember that Silas French of East Bridgewater was also a private soldier in the same Company and served the same term - and further saith not Lot Whitmarsh
Plymouth ss. August 6. 1832 -
Personally appeared the above named Lot Whitmarsh and made oath that the above declaration by him signed is just and true.
Before me - Jacob Whitman Just Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, being a Court of rec- ord do hereby certify that Jacob Whitmarsh & Bartholomew Brown Esqrs. are Justices of the Peace in & for said County & that I believe their names subscribed to this & the an- nexed papers are true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this third day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. Jacob H. Lord
Plymouth ss. April 10. 1838 - I further certify that I am acquainted with Lot Whitmarsh the above Deponent that he is a credible Person and his testimony entitled to belief. Jacob Whitmarsh Just Peace

I Daniel Brett of Ward Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged Seventy one years testify and say that I was a private Soldier in the late Revolutionary War. I then lived in Bridgewater in said County, and am knowing that Silas French, a man of said Bridgewater had then of Bridgewater, in the month of September in the year Seven-teen hundred and Seventy seven enlisted with me into Capt. Nathan Dyer's Company, in Col. Hovey's Regt. and Genl. Thomas' Brigade. We marched to Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island and were there stationed - said French served one month in said Company and then we were both discharged.
Daniel Brett
State and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. On this sixth day of August in the year of Our Lord 183 Lord 1832 - Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the said County of Plymouth Daniel Brett  made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed -
Bartholomew Brown
Plymouth ss. April 15 th 1833
I further certify that I am acquainted with Daniel Brett the above deponent, and that he is a credible person, and his testimony entitled to belief.
Bartholomew Brown Justice of the Peace